IUSY Resolution on Democratic Backsliding and Human Rights in Armenia

1. Whereas, international human rights organizations have warned of democratic backsliding in Armenia, including unlawful police violence, politically motivated prosecutions, and the systematic exclusion of opposition figures from political life;
2. Whereas, over the past year, arrests of opposition leaders, journalists, activists, clergy, and citizens on vague or fabricated charges have increased, with many detainees meeting international criteria for political prisoners;
3. Whereas, excessive use of force by police during the 2024 protests resulted in serious injuries to peaceful demonstrators, without subsequent accountability;
4. Whereas, persistent concerns remain regarding the lack of judicial independence and the politicization of courts and prosecutorial bodies;
5. Whereas, state-driven disinformation and intimidation campaigns against dissenting voices, independent media, and civil society undermine democratic debate;
6. Whereas, the escalating confrontation with the Armenian Apostolic Church constitutes a grave violation of freedoms of religion, conscience, expression, and peaceful assembly;

Therefore, be it resolved that IUSY:

7. Demands the immediate release of all individuals detained on politically motivated grounds and calls for independent reviews of cases meeting international standards for political imprisonment;
8. Condemns the use of excessive police force and calls for transparent investigations and accountability for officials responsible for violence against peaceful demonstrators;
9. Urges the restoration and protection of judicial independence in accordance with international human rights and rule-of-law standards;
10. Denounces the targeting of journalists, civil society actors, religious institutions, and political opponents, and demands full respect for freedoms of expression, assembly, religion, and conscience;
11. Calls on the authorities to end state-sponsored disinformation and stigmatization, and to ensure an open, inclusive, and pluralistic democratic environment;
12. Affirms that repression, fear, and the silencing of dissent do not create stability, but instead erode democracy, social cohesion, and long-term peace.